West Virginia in the Civil War

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Introductory article on West Virginia in the Civil War, by Dr. Mark A. Snell for the West Virginia Encyclopedia

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West Virginia in the Civil War

“The seeds of sedition...have since sprouted into open rebellion.” As the seat of the U.S. Armory, Harpers Ferry was home to some of the earliest federal employees - and some of the earliest labor wars, too. In Confluence: Harpers Ferry as Destiny, you’ll meet dreamers and innovators who changed American manufacturing forever. But you’ll also discover stories of strikes, corruption, and the very strange situation of working without pay! Confluence is co-authored by retired Chief Historian Dennis Frye and HFPA’s Catherine Mӓgi. The book is available for preorder NOW and will officially launch June 29, 2019, during the 75th Anniversary Weekend! Preorder at https://www.harpersferryhistory.org/product/confluence-harpers-ferry-destiny. #HarpersFerry75 #HAFE75 #Confluence ... See MoreSee Less

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West Virginia in the Civil War

AVAILABLE NOW FOR PREORDER! Confluence: Harpers Ferry as Destiny, by Dennis Frye and Catherine Mӓgi. One place. Countless stories. Harpers Ferry has long been a gathering point of the American story. From explorers and innovators to warriors and reformers, passionate souls with wildly diverse causes have flowed again and again into this tiny village, shaping the town--and, in many cases, the country. Focusing on personal, human experiences recorded in journals, letters, and other documents, Confluence: Harpers Ferry as Destiny offers a view of Harpers Ferry history that is both sweeping and intimate. Come: Discover the national dramas that have converged at Harpers Ferry. Slavery and the quest for freedom. War, expansion, and revolution. Natural disaster upon natural disaster, and the enduring human spirit that has refused to relinquish hope. Published in honor of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park’s 75th anniversary, Confluence also includes perspective on the rebirth of this war- and flood-ravaged town as a national park. Under the stewardship of NPS, Harpers Ferry has continued to evolve, continued to reveal new stories. Contact the bookshop at 304-535-6881 orhttps://www.harpersferryhistory.org/product/confluence-harpers-ferry-destiny to preorder your copy today! #HarpersFerry75 #HAFE75 #Confluence ... See MoreSee Less

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West Virginia in the Civil War

The birthplace of West Virginia, West Virginia Independence Hall is now a museum dedicated to the history of statehood and the Civil War. Located in downtown Wheeling, the three-story structure was built to be the federal custom house for the Western District of Virginia. The building also housed the post office and the federal district court. Construction began in September 1856, and the building opened in April 1859. On June 13, 1861, the Second Wheeling Convention began in the federal courtroom on the third story of the Custom House. This convention declared the Confederate state government in Richmond illegal; created a Reorganized Government of Virginia loyal to the United States; elected Francis Harrison Pierpont governor of Virginia; and called for the western counties to be formed into a new state. The legislature of the Reorganized Government met in the courtroom from July 1861 to June 1863, and the constitutional convention for the new state met there in late 1861 to early 1862. Governor Pierpont and other state officials used offices on the second floor of the Custom House from June 1861 to early 1864. Thus the Wheeling Custom House served as the capitol building for Reorganized Virginia, although it was never the capitol of West Virginia. Read more at e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1068 ... See MoreSee Less

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West Virginia in the Civil War

Do you know a student who is an aspiring photographer, artist, or writer? Have them explore their talent with a professional photographer, artist, or writer at our Harpers Ferry National Historical Park 75th anniversary workshops! Hands-on learning and mentoring in your beautiful national park. All students in grades 6-12 are eligible! No cost....just fun :) Friday, June 28, 2019 11 am to 4 pm (lunch provided) Limited spots available. Call 304.535.2078 or email info@hfpawv.org for more information or to reserve a spot! Workshop Leaders: Professional artist, author, and historian Louise Minks. Best-selling author and Emmy-winning writer Kathleen Ernst. Berkeley County educator, leader, and photography club instructor Pat Murphy. ... See MoreSee Less

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West Virginia in the Civil War

Some West Virginia state history for today The First Wheeling Convention called upon counties to elect representatives to a succeeding convention if Virginia voters approved the Ordinance of Secession on May 23, 1861. The Second Wheeling Convention met June 11-25, 1861, and again August 6-21. One hundred delegates representing 34 counties met in Wheeling, VA on June 11, 1861. Mostly western counties of Virginia, the composition was not entirely geographic. Delegates included representatives from the eastern cities of Alexandria and Fairfax. Also the eastern counties of Hardy, Hampshire and Jefferson counties. Though sentiment for creating a new state was strong, the convention instead adopted a Declaration of Rights of the People of Virginia which included a call for the reorganization of Virginia as a state loyal to the United States. Some delegates, such as John S. Carlile, were initially in favor of creating a new state during the First Wheeling Convention but amended their positions and agreed with those who maintained that immediately declaring a new state did not meet the requirements set forth in the U.S. Constitution. On June 19, 1861, the convention adopted an ordinance to reorganize Virginia as a loyal state, and on June 20, 1861, delegates elected Francis H. Pierpont as the governor of Virginia. Governor Pierpont called the legislature of the Reorganized Government into session on July 1, 1861. The Second Wheeling Convention adjourned on June 25, 1861, to reconvene on August 6. After the formation of the Reorganized Government of Virginia, some of the delegates believed that it was preferable to continue Virginia in its pre-war entirety rather than create a new state out of the western counties. But on August 20, after lengthy debate, the convention adopted an “Ordinance to Provide for the Formation of a New State out of a Portion of the Territory of this State”. A October 24, 1861 vote was set for a referendum. This ordinance provided that the voters would elect representatives to a constitutional convention (set for November 26, 1861) which would convene if the creation of a separate state was approved in the October 24 vote. -Cite: Bailey, Kenneth R. "Second Wheeling Convention." e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. 25 August 2015. Web. 11 June 2019- ... See MoreSee Less

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West Virginia in the Civil War

Just before dawn on June 3, 1861, the first land battle of the Civil War involving organized troops took place at Philippi, about 15 miles south of Grafton. Some 3,000 federal troops under the general command of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan and the immediate command of Col. Benjamin F. Kelley and Col. Ebenezer Dumont drove about 800 Confederates under Col. George A. Porterfield from the town. The outnumbered Rebels retreated so briskly that the battle was sometimes humorously referred to as the ‘‘Philippi Races.’’ According to historian Mark Snell, “Philippi was a trifling tactical affair, but it had significant strategic consequences, the most important of which was to deprive the Confederacy of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.” Snell further notes that the B&O “became the most important east-west transportation artery in the Union.” Read more at e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1846 ... See MoreSee Less

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West Virginia in the Civil War

Doc of the Day Alfred Beckley letter from Camp Chase, requesting exchange, 1862. (Ar1722) http://www.wvculture.org/history/docoftheday/doc0531A.html ... See MoreSee Less

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